Earlier this week, Memphis Grizzlies defenseman Ja Morant was the subject of a detailed account alleging he was involved in three off-court violent incidents. Saturday, team announced he was suspended for two games after he was the subject of an NBA investigation regarding his actions on Instagram Live early Saturday morning.
Instagram live streams are deleted upon completion, but his social media activity has been screen-recorded, screen-captured, and shared online.
Apparently, Morant was recording at a strip club after the Grizzlies concert. 113-97 loss of road to Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Morant scored 27 points and had 10 assists.
In the video, Morant appears to be holding a firearm to the side of his head and snapping it several times.
“We are aware of a social media post involving Ja Morant and are investigating,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement.
He will miss a trip to Southern California, where the Grizzlies will play the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
Morant released statement through his agent Jim Tanner. “I take full responsibility for my actions last night. I apologize to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, associates, the city of Memphis, and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down.” “I’m going to take some time off to get help and work on learning the best techniques for dealing with stress and improving my overall well-being.”
The 23-year-old is experiencing a turning point in his life and career. Playing at a high level in his fourth pro season, his fame positioned him as Nike’s best pitcher And Powerade endorser.
Proof of his success with Nike came in videos showing Morant shirtless and wearing a diamond pendant given to him by the shoe giant at the NBA All-Star Game in February.
Viral footage appeared after Wednesday Washington Post report describing three separate incidents. The first claims that Morant attacked a teenager in his neighborhood with a gun in his belt, although the police report does not state that Morant drew a weapon.
In another incident, he and nine friends reportedly arrived at the Finish Line shoe store at the mall to settle a dispute involving his mother. The most recent accusation concerns someone was riding in Morant’s car aiming a laser from members of the Indiana Pacers traveling group. Morant denies every case, with his lawyer and agent make a statement later in history.
Aside from any potential criminal charges related to the aforementioned incident reports, Morant now faces league scrutiny for activities he chose to share on social media.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
